Match pack container



Sept. 16, 1947. A. H. PATTEN MATCH PACK CONTAINER Filed Nov. 23,1943

l I l l l L 1 II I l l 1 I I I I ASHER H. PATTE N INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 16, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MATCH PACK CONTAINER Asher H. Patten, Denver, 0010.

Application November 23, 1943, Serial No. 511,397

1 Claim.

This invention relates to match pack containers, or match boxes, and more particularly to a container for a match pack having a striking surface for igniting a match. The match pack utilized in the container of this invention is preferably formed from the well-known book of matches, which normally includes a plurality of matches separated from each other at their upper or head ends, but formed from a single piece of paper or the like, and thereby attached together at their lower ends. The matches are enclosed by and attached at their lower ends to a cover formed of paper or the like, on a portion of which is a coating of abrasive particles, attached to the paper by a suitable adhesive.

In using such match books, there is always danger of igniting the entire book of matches, unless the cover is closed before striking a single match. It often happens that the user is either in too much of a hurry or does not sufliciently appreciate this danger to close the cover before striking a match. Attempts have been made to overcome this difficulty by placing the striking surface on the rear of the cover, but such a book is inconvenient to use because it must be turned over for striking, and is also more diflicult to manufacture than a book with the striking surface on the front of the cover.

In addition, in the case of each of the above types, it is normally necessary to utilize two hands in opening the cover, and also in. closing the cover after the desired match has been extracted or torn ofi from the remaining matches. Also, match books are thrown away as soon as the matches have been used, so that advertising material or the like placed on the book cover loses its value after the matches have been used.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a container for a match pack having a striking surface for igniting a match, which will be safe in operation; to provide such a container in which the heads of the remaining matches must be enclosed or covered before a match can be struck on the igniting surface; to provide such a container which will enable the striking surface of a match pack formed from a match book to be utilized for igniting a match extracted therefrom; to provide such a container in which a match pack from which all of the matches have been extracted may be readily replaced by a fresh pack; to provide such a container which may be made of a number of various materials; to provide such a container which may be made of wood, or other nonmetallic material: to provide such a container, the major portion of which may be made of plywood or the like; to provide such a container which may be opened and closed with one hand; and to provide such a container which will be light in weight and relatively simple in construction.

Other objects and novel features of this invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevation of a container constructed in accordance with this invention and enclosing a pack of matches;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the container in closed position, taken along line A-A of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a cross section similar to Fig. 2, but with the container in open position.

The match pack container constructed in accordance with this invention, as illustrated in the drawing, comprises a receptacle R having a cover C, and enclosing a match pack P. The receptacle R is open at the top, but otherwise enclosed by a bottom I0, sides H and ends l2. The cover C forms a top for the receptacle R, a tongue and groove connection [3 being provided along each side of the cover and receptacle to permit relative sliding movement between the receptacle and cover, for opening and closing. The upper end of the cover may alsO be provided with a tongue I l, adapted to fit into a groove I5 in the upper end of the receptacle, so as to hold the cover more securely in closed position and also to provide a better seal and thereby insure that heads I6 of matches I! will not be ignited when the head of an extracted match is ignited by passage across a striking surface 18 on the cover [9 of the match pack.

The cover C is provided with a slot or aperture 28 adapted, when in closed position, to provide access to the striking surface H3. The slot is so positioned that it will register with the normal striking surface portion of a match pack formed from a match book by tearing off at least the front portion of the cover of the match book.

As in Fig. 2, the cover 0 completes the enclosure for the heads of the matches when closed, and, as in Fig. 3, the cover C prevents access to the striking surface when in open position. Thus, it is impossible to strike a match until the cover is closed, thus insuring that the remaining matches will not be ignited when an extracted match is struck. To prevent the cover from sliding out of the receptacle accidentally, when opened, a suitable stop may be provided, such as a pin 2i adapted to extend into a longi tudinal groove 22 in the under side of cover C. The pin, of course, is normally in the position shown in Fig. 2, but may readily be inserted in the receptacle R through a hole in the lower end thereof, insertion of the pin having been partially accomplished in the position shown in Fig. 3. It will be understood, of course, that any other suitable manner in which disengagement of the cover and receptacle is prevented may be utilized.

It is easy to extract a match from the container of this invention, as an advantage thereof lies in the fact that the container can be opened and closed with one hand. The receptacle may be held in the fingers, and the thumb placed upon the cover for sliding the cover open. After a match is extracted, which is accomplished as readily as in the case of a match book, the cover can be slid into closed position by movement of the thumb placed on the cover. The extracted match may then be passed across the exposed striking surface to ignite the same.

To replace the used match pack with a fresh pack, it is necessary only to reach into the container, extract the remaining portion of the pack, and then insert a fresh pack formed by tearing or"! at least the front of the cover of a match book.

The receptacle R and cover C may be made of any desired material, although in times of metal shortage wood or the like is preferred. Preferably, the material has a finish such that advertising matter, if desired, may be printed upon the front and/or back of the container, or even the sides and ends thereof. The advantage of placing advertising material upon the container lies in the fact that the container is used over and over again, whereas, a match book is thrown away after the matches have been exhausted.

In addition to material such as wood, in which the tongue and groove connection 53 is readily made, the bottom it of the receptacle and the cover C may be made of plywood, metal or the like. In such case, it may not be necessary to form a tongue on the cover, since the plywood will readily slip into the groove formed in the sides and upper end of the receptacle. For more aesthetic appeal, the container may be made of plastic, either colored or clear. An advantage of clear plastic is the ability of the user to ascertain by sight the number of matches remaining in the pack. The plastic may be of the thermo-rsetting or thermoplastic variety, and the parts may be formed by molding or extrusion. When the cover is formed by extrusion, it may be desirable to provide a lap joint between the cover and receptacle, wherein the edges of the cover overlap a rim formed on the receptacle.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the match container of this invention is safe in operation, may be manipulated with one hand, and has an advertising, as well as a practical value. It will be understood that embodiments other than that described and illustrated may exist; that materials other than those enumerated may be utilized; and that various other changes may be made, such as a different type of joint between the cover and receptacle, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

A container for a, match pack having a striking surface for igniting a match, comprising a rectangular receptacle enclosed at the ends, sides and bottom; a cover for said receptacle having a slot extending transversely thereof adjacent the lower end and a groove on its underside extending to a predetermined point adjacent its upper end, said cover and receptacle being provided with a cooperating tongue and groove connection for sliding movement of said cover relative to said receptacle, whereby said receptacle may be grasped in the hand of a user and said cover slid downwardly by a thumb or finger to provide access to matches within said receptacle, and said slot being so disposed that when said cover is in closed position, access is provided to said striking surface through said slot; and a pin extending through the lower end of said receptacle and into said groove so as to limit the downward movement of said cover.

ASHER H. PATTEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,196,002 Leo Aug. 29, 1916 1,471,912 Oppenheim Oct. 23, 1923 313,857 Dunn Mar. 17, 1885 920,494 Ridpath May 4, 1909 2,329,175 Gits Sept. 14, 1943 1,362,371 Thomae Dec. 14, 1920 542,903 Truax July 16, 1895 

